Sean
Really enjoyed reading in particular, 'Christmas Day 1994' and lines from reading 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' - these really written from the heart which have a clear message AND they do really work as poems

Comment is about Sean Kavanagh (poet profile)

Original item by Sean Kavanagh

i like Scotts coat

Comment is about Mel Rees, Paul Blackburn & Scott Devon at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton September 2008 (photo)

bloody hell, thats a bit short!

Comment is about Get ready for Lauretta de Mar at the Howcroft Inn, Bolton August 2008 (photo)

Hi - I've just purchased your book 'Lip' from Blackwells at Manchester University. I look forward to reading it.

Comment is about Catherine Smith (poet profile)

Original item by Catherine Smith

Hi Attila
Polands even closer now....
Great loved it!
Gus

Comment is about There's A Man Down Our Road Who's A Nazi! (blog)

Original item by Attila the Stockbroker

Hi Sally.

i like your poem - it feels real in its images etc -
not sure about the clouds groaning like full bellies - on it's own it stands as an image and i can picture the sky etc and it also fits with the lines directly after it - but the words leading up to this image sketch a somewhat neglectful scene and i don't think that a full belly 'fits' in this context - it may just be my perception of it but my belly usually groans when it is running on empty : ) but then if the image was an empty belly, and i was writing this poem, the first few lines that follow the clouds one wouldn't work if the clouds like my belly were empty - for me, it leaves the poem a little awkward - if this was your intention, then excellent stuff - but if not (and it is only my humble opinion and all that) then it kind of makes me feel that the full bellied image is like the distant cousin in an otherwise close family of images : )

Comment is about rip me to shreds... (blog)

Hi Carol

The following is courtesy of the RSPB - "The sanderling is a small, plump, energetic wading bird. It has a short straight black bill and medium length black legs. It is pale grey above and white underneath. It does not breed in the UK, but is a winter visitor, journeying to and from their high Arctic breeding grounds." These are the facts but your words describe the Sanderling much better I feel.

Winston

Comment is about sanderlings (article)

Thank you. Mum xx

Comment is about for mother (blog)

At last I see some sunshine I knew it was in there, waiting, for a break in the clouds. Tears fell from my eyes like the rain, my boy, now a man, I send showers of love to you, and may the dark shadows be washed away with love. Mum xxx

Comment is about for mother (blog)

Hi Gus,

sounds like an interesting book...

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi Steve
Thank you... it's taken from a book I'm attempting to write.

A little different from Thursday evening at Freed Up
AnywayThanks again
Gus

Comment is about garside (poet profile)

Original item by garside

Photographs by John Togher

Comment is about Dave Morgan at the Tudor House, Wigan November 2008 (photo)

Good poem, Pete.. The ending works well there also!

Comment is about for mother (blog)

Hi Gus, to answer your question. A place called Rutherglen (A borough at one point) on the edge of the city centre. Comes under South Lanarkshire. I love Edinburgh too. Used to go there a lot. I keep intending to go to the open mic nights in Glasgow when I visit the family. Maybe this December I'll make a special effort. It's bound to be full of interesting and strong characters I'm sure!

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi Alison
Many thanks for your kind remarks..... Just as a matter of interest ..where abouts in Glasgow did ye stay....I lived there for 17 years or so....Kelvinside and then Milngavie... I love the city....I'm not so fond of Edinburgh....The cold sister....

Once again many thanks
Gus

Comment is about Alison Mary Dunn (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Mary Dunn

Thanks for your comments Jeff
God I love the pants off Lisbon.... Love the country..... Think I have some Chicken Peri Peri and a Plate of Sardines for My tea....

If not it'll be Gemma's cakes tomoz

Regards Gus

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Hi Mia
Without wanting to sound sycophantic...Your performance was very special too....since Thursday night I find myself dithering with my gear stick whilst idling at lights.
I love special naughty girls!
Well done!
Gus

Comment is about Mia Darlone (poet profile)

Original item by Mia Darlone

Gus I just want to say I thoroughly enjoyed your performance about the (in)ability to excetute a bowel movement at FREED UP - it was simply marvellous.

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi Tony, You're aparty animal mate thats your problem! Ha! Hope you had a good time and see you at Midd? Jeff

Comment is about In bed at twilight (blog)

Hi Rodney, amusing although the rhyming's a bit repetitive for me, but think you made the right decision about the beard or tache! cheers Jeff

Comment is about AT 18 ALL I WANTED WAS A TACHE OR BEARD (blog)

Original item by Rodney Wood

hope you all have a good night , enjoy it ,raise shed loads of money :) actually i might be there i think sounds good

Comment is about blankpages Presents... (article)

Hi Steve, great stuff and enjoyed it when you performed it. Sorry couldn't make it thursdsay, something cropped up, but hope to see you soon, cheers Jeff

Comment is about Career Politicians and Bankers are evil (insert expletive/s) (blog)

Original item by Steve O'Connor

Hi Carol, I really like this, although obviously we wish we didn't have to record such memories.

Your poem is stark reality of what happened to so many innocent people, very well written.

My remembrance poem 11:11 was more of a personal tribute and reflects the service I attend in Bolton every year, take care Jeff

Comment is about Eclipse (blog)

Original item by Carol Falaki

Hi Melissa, so many questions, not many answers, is it in the lap of the Gods, God knows!!

This is how I feel a lot of the time regardless of how things are going, beautifully written as always, Jeff X

Comment is about Feel (blog)

are you the firestarter dear dominic? How about a transvestic invasion of new space?

Comment is about Dominic Berry co-hosts Freed Up at the Green Room, Manchester Feb 2008 (photo)

Darren I told you. :-)

Comment is about Ed and Darren looking suitably demonic at Write Out Loud Wigan February 2008 (photo)

Hi Phil, nice poem.

Comment is about Dream Loving (blog)

Original item by Phil Golding

I really enjoyed reading your poems, written I guess while you waited for a doctor appointment. Here we dont wait to long if we have insurance and an appointment. BUt I sure pay a bunch, I think it may be good some time to figure the tax yall pay for health insurance and any co pays that apply, against what I have to pay, and then we can see whats worth what. Reading your poem, was to see from your eyes, the world around you, and I really enjoy people watching, so for me your poems wonderful! thanks

Comment is about Thank goodness the NHS can't keep to my pre-arranged appointment times! (blog)

Original item by Gemma Lees

Nice poem, was fun to read. I think we all get those bellys, just a little anyway. I would guess the blame is in the pints, and not the chicken.Tell me, why so much curry and kabob eating over there? Sure its good stuff,but there are so many things to eat. nice poem.

Comment is about Chickening out (blog)

This is very different, and I enjoyed reading it.

Comment is about we will talk about this sneeze more than others (blog)

Peter,This is such a nice and open poem.This is full of wisdom, and much of it from your heart. Your Mother is right in many ways.We as humans have to have an outlet for our pain, it really all is the same pain, just different twists of fate. I am guilty in the sence that most of my poems are kinda sad and depressed.It is a rare poem, to come from me, that is light and happy and full of flowers. I cant explain it away. I tend to write dark poems about power and control. That may be because I feel, I have no power or control.In such a pain filled world, it is hard to find happy. Not that Im unhappy all the time, not that I dont have happy days, because I do, many of them. I do think some people, esp poets feel pain more deeply then do others, and feel a desperate need to express it.Or posibly explode. I enjoyed very much this poem, I esp like that same part that Sarah enjoyed.Your Mom is great, and she loves you very much, I can tell.I will say one last thing, There is no greater love, then that of a Mother for her child. We always have hope. Aww now I better stop, Im going on and on. great one Peter!

Comment is about for mother (blog)

Like the photos; do we know who took them?

Comment is about Darren Thomas at the Tri-Lingual Mushaira, Bolton October 2008 (photo)

I love your writing. Already you have a distinct, perhaps even a unique 'voice'. Your writing could well be your fortune.

"His face a vault of burnt candles".

Superb.

Comment is about we will talk about this sneeze more than others (blog)

Enjoyed hearing these poems last nightGemma.
Its good to read them now.

Comment is about Thank goodness the NHS can't keep to my pre-arranged appointment times! (blog)

Original item by Gemma Lees

Good to see you at the Gypsys Tent last month Tony. Its always a pleasure to see you and listen to your poetry.

Comment is about Further Adventures in Poetryland (blog)

Original item by Tony Walsh aka Longfella

Sarah I'm glad you like that stanza, its my fave

Comment is about for mother (blog)

Winston, thanks
yes you are right about the pauses.
I would more than likely alter this poem for performance, prob shorter.

Glad you like the venus (fly trap) lashes
the idea about a plant/flower being sinsister and functional, playing against the norm of a plant which are so normally passive. The question of the violent female (as is implied) is subject matter quite secret (in domestic violence terms) Carole points out a website which deals with issues greater, I agree with your comments on this poem, especially over the male/female - 'who cares! , it exists! no matter what the sex' point. The idea of a man who dearly loves his wife, allowing him to hurt him vocally and thru physical means plays a difficult dichotomy. He truly believes she's is ill, and she may well be, therefore the injuries sustained are just the part of him that carries her over whatever rough pasture pot-holed, no matter, that is love. If you notice his violence unleashed upon the thoughts of the MALE next door who is having the open affair with her. (an idea inspired from a film called 'the acid house' )

suffice to say Im gratefull and appreciative of your interest and comments, as always.

Pete your left hand driver. (left hand drive canal boat???!! )

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

Hi Pete, Yes subdued I think. But it would need a lot of preparation to get pauses in the right places and to put a powerful and strong emphasis on the right words and phrases "Drill my eyes". some of which would come over very powerfully. I like the "Venus lashes", The "silent sway" and "as for now I'll always love you" sections.
Winston

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

a beutiful tribute

i am sooo keeping my eye on your poems
i really enjoy reading your poems

''Love can’t get in if you block it
and
Light only makes shadows
If you stop it''
-fantastic!

sez x

Comment is about for mother (blog)

Hi Winston
Thanks for the feedback, I think this would be performed in a most subdued manner.

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

Well Pete, I have just got up and this is an emotional start to the day. To hear your own performance of this poem would be amazing I suspect. For me this poem is laced with such strong images, many in contradiction to the normal roles of our sexes. It stands as a statement against domestic violence without having to debate who suffers more often. That's not the point, it's the fact that it happens at all.

P.S. I have not been able to comfortably operate the self scan machine at Tescos since last Sunday's WOL at Bolton!

Cheers Winston

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

Hi Carole
Hi Mum

Mum, this is my poetic response
its not my style but I wrote it for you


Something wonderful

Don’t focus on the negative
too much of it already
better left unsaid
its not worthy
and we all share it
we all know its there
darkness does its to own work.
brighter things she said
loving things she said
this should all enter heads
more often
nurture
it helps with the smiling
don’t dwell in the dark
rather, soften yourself
as
hands alone cannot change the hard
shouting never softened the shard
upon which we are all cut
from time to time
share mine, yes
and ill share yours
see, now we both smile!
And under feet
Pave gold our troubled mile
every day a test but
let light in
you must do
it helps you live
brighter things need not be chained
or elusive
let it all go, give
to someone, heal
tension makes a prisoner
precious time it tries to steal
yet with wondrous things in heart
stronger is your shield
let the guard own at appropriate times
for that’s important too
as
Love can’t get in if you block it
and
Light only makes shadows
If you stop it
A list of loving things
mother said
find light in which to write
for she had given birth
so passage comes to light
now we see the waterfall
where once the dead of night

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

oh i wish comments were editable , i did mean pete , have you shown the poem to your friend ,
your poems are good lately have you noticed ?

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/

have you shown it to your friend it might give him the push he needs

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

Hi Mum I have plenty of happy poems, but they ar every personal and I dont like reading them or sharing them, one reason is a once super poem I wrote about our gardens and flowers and things

A; sounded cliche
B; was plagurised and i never forgave them

also mum there's tons of happy poems on here and not always enough of the darker stuff
it does need to be said
and all the flower stuff, im not confident with it!

a lot of the poems i do are about people I know

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

fantastic
this poem has cheered me up for the rest of the day lol

sez x

Comment is about Bliss (blog)

Original item by Mia Darlone

hiya pete

i have to say this is my fave poem that ive read yet,
being a sufferer of domestic vilonce myself
i can totally relate to it

thanx for sharing this poem
its great and so full of emotion

keep up the good work hun

sez x

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

Very sad verse.

Do you have any happy poems Peter about the happy and good things in life on beautiful Earth I would love to read them. Mum xxx

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)

Oh God, Speaking of bitching about people. I had a week from hell last week. Cant go into it here. OMG, thats a wonderful way to look at them. I had just made my mind up it was the spawn of the devil, giving me hell on earth.I cant wait to escape my cage, and be free of those blabbering lips of negativity. Ok good then, I got what I should have from your clever spore poem!

Comment is about spores (blog)

I know men get abused, but I have to say I have seen more females put up with this behavior from men. I know that I have put up with some of it. But hitting crosses the line.There is a girl I work with that is about to be fired, because her boy friend does this stuff, and then she cant work.We all feel bad for her and have tried to help her, she always says no.Can your friend just leave?Or video it?

Comment is about Hello darling, I'm home again (blog)